Jun 13, 2009

Assembly Passes Budget; 5:07 A.M. GOP Says NO

Update V: Democratic sources say the members stood together in torpedoing the many GOP budget amendments.Update IV: State Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison): "After months of public debate and scrutiny, during an incredibly difficult economic crisis, I am proud to say we passed a budget that holds true to our values. This budget makes tough spending cuts, protects working families from tax increases, and preserves our commitment to job growth, health care, education, and public safety." - via WisPoliticsUpdate III:WisPolitics: Assembly passes its version of the budget after all-nighter. All Republicans vote 'no,' see roll call vote at WisPolitics. On to the Senate where Democrats hold an 18-15 majority.Update II: The three people cited in the Gallup poll on the leaders of the Republican Party: Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney and Newt Gingrich top the list with 29%; 46% of Republicans say they can't name a leader or asserted there isn't one.

Remember Linda Blair’s reply to ‘who are you?’ in The Exorcist: "Eno-on-ma-I." Translation: I am no one.

Maybe we should get GOP star Bobby Jindal in Madison to perform an exorcism on these guys. Seems fitting for these nihilistic strangers possessed of strange personalities, mean-spirited inclinations and anti-social tendencies.Update: 4:59 A.M. and the GOP says ... No.

From the Democratic Convention last night in Green Bay, Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel reports:

‘I don't think anyone knows what (Republicans) are offering’ on issues such as education and health care, [Gov.] Doyle said. ‘All we have been getting from them is the same refusals and the tired political tactics that go nowhere.’ ... As for the budget cuts, 'Wisconsin Democrats know it takes hard work, not playing politics, to go forward,' Doyle said.

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Michael Leon

Michael Leon is a writer living in Madison, Wisconsin. His reporting has been recognized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Leon's writing has appeared nationally in The Progressive, The Advocate, In These Times, CounterPunch and The Champion—the journal of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and locally in the Isthmus, the Capital Times and the Fitchburg Star. Leon works as a writer, editor, veterans' advocate, and public relations consultant.